Feeding Leopard Geckos
Leopard geckos are strict insectivores — no greens, no fruit, insects only. That makes feeder variety more important for them than for an omnivore that picks up nutrients elsewhere.
How often
Growing geckos eat more often than adults. Judge by body condition rather than by a schedule: a leopard gecko that refuses food for a few days is not automatically in trouble, but a gecko losing tail volume is — the tail is where they store fat, and it is the first place a problem shows.
What to feed
A good rotation runs a staple with supplements around it:
- Staple — medium discoid roaches or medium crickets
- Convenience — mealworms, offered in a shallow dish they cannot burrow out of
- Occasional — hornworms, useful for hydration and for tempting a picky eater
Sizing
Feeders should be no longer than the width of your gecko's head. If you are between two sizes, take the smaller one.
See the Feeder Size Guide.
Which size to buy
| Stage | Crickets | Discoid roaches | Also |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchling | Small 1/8" | XS 1/8-1/4" | — |
| Juvenile | Small/Medium 1/4" | Small 1/4-1/2" | Small mealworms, in a dish |
| Adult | Medium 3/8" | Medium 1/2-3/4" | Small to Medium mealworms; Small to Medium hornworms, occasional |
Nothing longer than the width of your gecko's head. Between two sizes, take the smaller one.
They hunt by movement
A feeder that sits still gets ignored. Roaches and crickets both work well for this reason. Mealworms move less, which is why a dish helps — the gecko learns where food appears rather than relying on the worm to attract attention.
Never leave uneaten crickets in the enclosure overnight. They will bite a sleeping gecko.
Supplements
Leopard geckos are commonly kept without UVB, which makes dietary calcium and D3 more important rather than less.
Feeder insects are commonly dusted with a calcium or vitamin supplement before feeding. Follow the manufacturer's directions for the specific supplement you use.
What to buy
Feeders for leopard geckos · Discoid roaches · Mealworms · Crickets
Keeping feeders between deliveries
See our Care & Storage guides for housing and holding each species after delivery.
Feeding & care note: The information provided here is general feeder-insect care guidance. Reptile dietary needs vary by species, age, size and health. Follow husbandry and feeding recommendations appropriate for your individual animal.